Bonjour beaux amis de l'immersion française!
2026 is here, and we're kicking off the year with momentum. Here's what's happening across Louisiana's French immersion community.
Événement
A Historic Night in the Bywater
This weekend, we hosted our first New Orleans social of 2026 at Parleaux Beer Lab. (For those unfamiliar, Parleaux is French for "by water," and the brewery is owned by an École Bilingue dad.)
The big news? For the first time in LPFI history, we had parents from all six New Orleans-area French Immersion schools in one room:
Audubon Charter
École Bilingue
Hynes Charter (Lakeview campus)
Hynes Charter (UNO campus)
International School of Louisiana
Lycée Français Internationale de la Louisiane (formerly LFNO)
Despite the chilly weather - It was a wonderful evening of connection and conversation, and a perfect preview of what's to come this spring.
Réservez la date
Allons à la Nouvelle-Orléans!
Saturday, April 12, 2026 | Audubon Charter School, Live Oak Campus, New Orleans
Mark your calendars: Le 31ème Grand Pique-Nique is coming to New Orleans for the first time ever.
After 30 years in the Acadiana and the Capital Region, Louisiana's largest celebration of French immersion education is expanding to the Crescent City. LPFI and Audubon Charter School are co-hosting this year's event, bringing the spelling bee, talent show, poster contest, field games, live music, and all the francophone fun to a new home.
Last year's event drew over 600 attendees from 22 schools across Louisiana, even through an all-day thunderstorm. (If you were there for "Les Cornichons," you know exactly what we mean.)
Sponsor Le Grand Pique-Nique!
We're actively seeking sponsors to make LGPN 2026 our best yet. If you or your organization would like to support French immersion education in Louisiana, or if you know someone who might, please reach out to president@lpfi.net. Sponsorship opportunities start at $500 and include logo placement, exhibition space, and recognition at the event and on our website.
More details coming soon at www.lpfi.net/lgpn.
Ressources
DELF Testing This Spring
DELF exams (Diplôme d'études en langue française) are scheduled for March across Louisiana. These internationally recognized assessments give students official certification of their French proficiency at the A1, A2, B1, and B2 levels.
At Le Grand Pique-Nique, we'll once again be recognizing top DELF performers from across the state. It's one of our favorite moments of the day — celebrating the real-world, lasting results of immersion education.
Nouvelles des écoles
Vermilion Parish: Building the Ladder
Exciting news from Vermilion Parish! Their French immersion program continues to grow, and this fall they'll welcome seventh graders in immersion for the first time. Open enrollment for incoming kindergarteners is underway now at LeBlanc Elementary.
Congratulations to the entire Vermilion Parish immersion community on this milestone.
Ressources
Innovation Spotlight: St. George International School
St. George International School in East Baton Rouge Parish welcomes transfers from EBR immersion programs and other institutions. The school offers bilingual instruction from infancy through 8th grade, with early high school credit opportunities for students in grades 6-8. Learn more at sgischool.org.
Ressources
Coming Up: AATF National French Exam
The American Association of Teachers of French (AATF) National French Contest begins in February. Teachers can register and find resources at frenchteachers.org.
Ressources
Calling Louisiana French Teachers: A Partnership Opportunity
An English teacher in France is looking for a Louisiana partner for a cross-cultural classroom project. This is a chance to connect your students with peers across the Atlantic and bring real-world francophone exchange into your curriculum.
Interested teachers should send their email address, school affiliation, and level of French taught to info@lpfi.net by February 1, 2026.
Ressources
Tables Françaises
Want to keep your own French sharp while your kids progress through immersion? Louisiana has over 40 French Tables active across the state, and they're completely free.
These informal gatherings take place at coffee shops, libraries, and other public spaces, led by volunteer Capitaines dedicated to keeping Louisiana's French heritage alive. All proficiency levels are welcome, from native speakers to parents who picked up "Bonjour" at drop-off and want to learn more.
It's a low-pressure way to practice your French, meet other francophone and francophile families, and model language learning for your kids. Many tables welcome children, so check with your local Capitaine about bringing the whole family.
Find more: French Tables | CODOFIL
Merci!
Thank you for your continued support of French immersion education in Louisiana. Whether you're a parent, teacher, volunteer, or community supporter, you're part of something special - preserving and growing French language and culture for future generations.
Questions or news to share? Contact us at oui@lpfi.net
Cordialement,
Matthew Diez
Président, Louisiana Parents for French Immersion
president@lpfi.net
www.lpfi.net
P.S. Know a family who should get these updates? They can sign up at lpfi.net/contact.